Getting Started

How do I get started? How do I set-up my Ryerson email? When do I get my student ID? How do I change my account password? I just transferred in, how do I get credit for my earlier post-secondary studies?

Your Ryerson online identity

To use Ryerson’s online tools, you must first activate your Ryerson online identity by completing a series of web forms. During activation, you will pick your user name, such as: johndoe, john.doe, etc., known as your my.ryerson username and your password. You will not get any email confirming your account activation.

Once activated, your Ryerson online identity gives you access to:

Ryerson email

the Central Computer Labs including the Library and Kerr Hall West KHW-71

the my.ryerson portal

D2L Brightspace learning system

RAMSS (via https://my.ryerson.ca)

Ryerson wireless

website accounts

online Library resources

Campus printing

Virtual Applications

If you are returning applicant or student, you do not need to activate your identity, as you have already done it. If you have any problems with activation, ask for help at the Kerr Hall West KHW-71 Help Desk.

How to reset your my.ryerson password

You will find detailed instruction on how to reset your password at Password Changes. If you cannot remember your challenge phrase, an IT advisor can reset your password. Come to the computer lab located in Kerr Hall West KHW-71 or to the Library Reference Desk located on the 2nd floor of the Library Building. Please bring a valid photo ID.

Ryerson email

Your Ryerson email address will be your username@ryerson.ca, where username is your my.ryerson username, for example, john.doe@ryerson.ca. Your Ryerson email account stays active during any term in which you enrol as a degree student. Continuing education (Chang School, including Distance Education) students are also assigned Ryerson email accounts. You will have access to your Ryerson email for five more years after your last class. See Policy #157 – Establishment and Use of Ryerson E-mail Accounts for Official University Communication and Essential Policy Highlights.

Google Apps

Everyone with an active account at Ryerson has access to Google Apps at Ryerson including Google Calendar and Google Drive. Google’s Gmail is also available for students who opt to use it during account activation. If you chose not to opt-in to Gmail, you can do so later by:

logging into my.ryerson.ca,

going to "Self Service",

clicking Personal Account, and

selecting the Opt Into Ryerson Gmail under Preferences.

When you opt-in, we will automatically switch you from RMail to Gmail.

Protecting your privacy

Ryerson’s IT services will never ask you for your password and you should never give your password to anyone under any circumstances. If you receive a request to give your password or other confidential information, do not respond. Report the problem to help@ryerson.ca or call 416-979-5000, ext. 6840.

Various software options are available to secure your computer. To explore best practices, find out about free antivirus software, learn about firewalls and to look up a variety of security documents for various applications, operating systems and mobile devices, go to the CCS's IT Security page.

Transfer Credits

If you completed relevant postsecondary courses at another institution before being admitted to Ryerson, you may apply for Transfer Credits. Suitable Transfer Credits satisfy course requirements, helping you to avoid repeating coursework and possibly making it easier for you to graduate sooner. If you are eligible, you should apply as soon as possible.

We will only consider courses that meet the minimum grade rules:

Accredited university courses must have a minimum grade of 60% (C-)

Accredited college courses must have a minimum grade of 70% (B-)

Consult the Transfer Credits website for detailed instructions and rules. Also, consult the Significant Dates Table to make sure that you apply for Transfer Credits within the published deadlines.

Challenge Credits

A Challenge Credit is an academic credit for skills and knowledge gained outside the traditional post-secondary school environment, usually through work experience or a successful challenge examination.

Most degree programs allow no more than a total of five single-term challenge credits. Challenge Credits are shown on your Official Transcript but are not included in the calculation of your GPA. Not all courses are available for Challenge. The application fee is non-refundable.

You should contact the teaching department to see if the course you wish to Challenge is eligible. You may not challenge a course in which you are or have previously enrolled at Ryerson or any other institution. Also, you may not challenge a course that you have previously challenged and failed.

Further information about Challenge Credits is found in the undergraduate calendar and the detailed application procedures are on the back of the Challenge Credit Application Form.

Ryerson’s residency requirement ("50% rule")

If you were admitted to Ryerson with advanced standing or transfer credits you must complete at least one half of the courses in the program’s curriculum as a Ryerson student.

For example, if across all eight semesters of your program there are 44 courses, you would complete at least 22 courses here at Ryerson. In other words, no more than a total of 50% of the program’s requirements may consist of advanced standing or credits (that is, transfer credits, challenge credits or credits granted on a Letter of Permission).